Madame President,

I have the honour to introduce this morning the draft resolution entiteld “Report of the International Criminal Court”.

In addition to the list of countries as mentioned in document A/61/L.21, the following countries have indicated their wish to be included as cosponsors: Antigua and Barbuda, Burundi, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Djibouti, Dominica, Gabon, Gambia, Haiti, Jamaica, Liberia, Madagascar, Marshall Islands, Montenegro, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Tadjikistan, Timor Leste, Uganda and Zambia. This brings the total number of cosponsors for this resolution to 105.

Madame President,

On 9 October, the President of the International Criminal Court presented the second annual report of the International Criminal Court to this body. We had a very constructive and in depth debate then and I do not want to repeat that discussion here today. Allow me though Madame President, to highlight a few elements.

The establishment of the Court was the most significant development in recent years in our long and ongoing struggle to eradicate impunity. There can be no lasting peace without justice and justice and peace are thus complementary requirements. In that regard we will continue to strive for universal adherence to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. We are therefore very pleased to welcome the countries who have recently become a Party to the Rome Statute.

The annual report of the Court clearly demonstrates that the International Criminal Court is now fully operational. The judicial phase of its operations has started, both involving operations in the field as well as court room proceedings against the first accused to be tried. We are pleased that the Court has recently established a liaison office at the United Nations here in New York, which we hope will enhance the relationship between the two orgnaisations and facilitate communication.

Madame President,

The International Criminal Court report as well as the debate in the General Assembly a few weeks ago underlined the important role the International Criminal Court plays in our common multilateral system that aims to end impunity and to establish the rule of law, to promote and encourage respect for human rights and to restore and maintain international peace and security. The assistance given by the Court to the Special Court for Sierra Leone, and the collaboration in the framework of the International Independent Investigations Commission are proof of that.

The President of the International Criminal Court in his address to the General Assembly a few weeks ago stressed the fact that cooperation between the Court and the United Nations and cooperation by States, international and regional organisations are fundamental to an effective and efficient functioning Court. Especially in relation to arrest and surrender of accused persons, the provision of evidence, the relocation of witnesses and the enforcement of sentences. We call on all States to support the Court’s efforts in that regard. The continuous support of civil society deserves to be mentioned as well.

Madame President,

The resolution before us today serves three main objectives:

Firstly, to provide indicate political support for the International Criminal Court as an organisation, for its aims, as well as for the work it carries out.

Secondly, to underline the importance of the relationship between the International Criminal Court and the UN, which the two organisations continue to build on the basis of the Relationship Agreement.

Lastly, it serves to remind States and international and regional organisations of the need to cooperate with the International Criminal Court in carrying out its tasks.

The Netherlands hopes that the adoption of this resolution today will lead to even greater support for the International Criminal Court in its fight against impunity and its attempts to hold those accused of very serious crimes accountable for their actions.

Thank you Madame President.